Mechanical Systems Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Systems Engineer make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Mechanical Systems Engineer in the United States is $73,853 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Mechanical Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,281
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,033 to $79,835
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,735
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,033 10% $62,735 90% $85,281 75% $79,835 $73,853 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $79,835 $6,653 $1,535 $38
Average $73,853 $6,154 $1,420 $36
25th Percentile $68,033 $5,669 $1,308 $33
Check out Mechanical Systems Engineer Job Openings in the United States
STAFF ENGINEER MECHANICAL DESIGN

GE Aviation - Evendale, OH

ADVANCED LEAD MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

GE Aviation - Evendale, OH

STAFF ROTATING PARTS MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

GE Aviation - Evendale, OH

STAFF MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER GE AEROSPACE

GE Aviation - West Chester, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries

A Mechanical Systems Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Systems Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $64,731
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,813
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $96,791
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,572
  • Expert (over 8 years): $141,843
Levels Salary
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$64,731
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$73,813
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$96,791
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$122,572
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$141,843
$64,731 0 yr
$73,813 < 2 yrs
$96,791 2-4 yrs
$122,572 5-8 yrs
$141,843 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Systems Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $93,151
  • San Francisco: $92,236
  • Oakland: $90,190

What Skills Can Increase a Mechanical Systems Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 29.13% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Android (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Android OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system that primarily runs on smartphones and tablets.
  • Loss Prevention (Mentioned in 1.36% Job Postings): Loss prevention refers to measures taken to prevent the loss of life, health, and property. In the workplace, this involves preventing accidents, reducing risks, and controlling known hazards.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 29.13%
Android 2.1%
Loss Prevention 1.36%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Mechanical Systems Engineer's salary.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Risk Management
$83,454
13%
Accounting
$80,500
9%
Written Communication
$79,023
7%
Problem Solving
$78,285
6%
Microsoft Office
$77,546
5%
Time Management
$76,069
3%
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Mechanical Systems Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Systems Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Salary Trends for Mechanical Systems Engineer

Salaries for a Mechanical Systems Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $78,567 in 2023 to around $76,645 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Systems Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mechanical Systems Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$78,567
2024
$77,539
2025
$76,645
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $78,567
2024 $77,539
2025 $76,645
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Mechanical Systems Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Mechanical Systems Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Mechanical Systems Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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